Celebrating Fastnacht Day

Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday, is traditionally the last day before the penitence of Lent begins. To enjoy the day, and for practical purposes, bakers used up all their dough making pastries, called fasnachts. They are essentially doughnuts with no holes.
Shrove Tuesday is also known as Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday (the translation of the original French phrase), and Pancake Day. Interestingly enough, Mardi Gras is a legal holiday in New Orleans and is scheduled to occur 46 days before Easter. Since the actual date Easter occurs on changes yearly, Mardi Gras can happen on any Tuesday between February 3 and March 9. Rest assured that one thing will never change, the celebration of the doughnut.